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Irish MEP Barry Andrews toured makeshift shelters in Beirut last month, where displaced families are living on dirty mattresses and blankets and suffering from infections. The conditions, he said, are worse than during Israel’s 2024 incursion, underscoring the human cost of Israel’s retaliatory strikes after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel.On returning to Dublin, Andrews became one of the first European lawmakers to urge the European Union to revive sanctions against Israel. He argued that the EU must also address state‑backed settler violence in the West Bank, attacks on health workers in Gaza, and Israel’s recent move to reinstate the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism.The EU’s leverage lies in its association agreement with Israel, a commerce and cooperation accord that underpins a €68 billion (€59 bn) trading relationship and includes cooperation on energy and scientific research. Former EU representative to the Palestinian territories, Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, says the bloc should suspend this agreement, halt all military aid, and cease trade with illegal settlements, warning that inaction will further damage the EU’s reputation.Andrews described the EU’s reaction to the Iran‑Israel‑Lebanon war as “weak and pathetic,” adding that it effectively gives Israel a “permission slip for endless war crimes.” The European Commission condemned the Knesset’s death‑penalty vote as “very concerning” and a “clear step backwards,” while the Council of Europe called it a “legal anachronism” incompatible with modern human‑rights standards.Human‑rights figures note that in the past four weeks more than 1,240 people have been killed in Lebanon—including at least 124 children—and over 1.1 million have been displaced. In Gaza, the death toll has risen by 673 since the October ceasefire, bringing the total to 72,260 deaths.EU leaders have been divided on how to respond. Former Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed unprecedented sanctions last September, citing a “man‑made famine” in Gaza, but the proposal failed to secure a majority in the Council of Ministers, losing momentum after the U.S. announced a cease‑fire plan.Member states also differ: Ireland, Spain and Slovenia champion the Palestinian cause, whereas Germany, Austria and Hungary—led by Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—have resisted measures such as sanctions on West Bank settlers.Despite these divisions, a senior EU diplomat warned in mid‑March that the bloc may need to “increase pressure on Israel again,” citing the “highly problematic” situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Another diplomat highlighted the importance of engaging with Israeli civil society, noting an open letter from 600 Israeli security officials urging an end to the Gaza war.In a recent statement, a Commission spokesperson reiterated that diplomatic engagement with Israel continues, describing it as the standard approach when partners “do not see developments eye to eye.” Yet former EU envoy Kühn von Burgsdorff cautioned that the EU cannot appear as a “sidekick” to an “erratic, unreliable” U.S. president or a “warmongering, annexationist” Israeli prime minister, as such a stance would undermine Europe’s global standing.

The United States is expanding its military footprint in the Gulf as the US‑Israel war with Iran enters its second month. Since the Feb. 28 launch of Operation Epic Fury, a joint air campaign targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, more than four weeks of strikes have resulted in thousands of casualties.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of a third aircraft carrier, the USS George HW Bush, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is currently conducting daily combat sorties from the Arabian Sea, and the USS Gerald Ford, now under maintenance in Croatia.These carrier groups carry thousands of sailors, Marines and specialised support personnel, forming the core of the US’s power projection in the region.Carrier Strike Group (CSG) refers to an aircraft carrier plus its escort ships and support units that together function as a floating base. A typical CSG includes:An aircraft carrier60‑75 fighter jets and helicopters2‑4 Arleigh Burke‑class destroyersA guided‑missile cruiserA submarine for underwater protectionSupply shipsAs of April 1, the USS Abraham Lincoln remains the only carrier launching daily combat missions against Iranian targets, while the USS George HW Bush is en route and expected to eventually replace the Gerald Ford in the Mediterranean.Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) operates as a mini‑carrier, carrying US Marines and equipment for sea‑to‑land invasions. The USS Tripoli ARG arrived in the Middle East on March 27, and the USS Boxer ARG is expected to join the theater by mid‑April. An ARG typically comprises:Three specialised ships~2,200 Marines (a Marine Expeditionary Unit)Short‑takeoff aircraftLanding craft for beach assaultsThe key distinction: ARGs are built to land troops on shore, whereas CSGs are designed to project air power and conduct major naval warfare.A Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a rapid‑response, self‑contained force of 2,200‑2,500 Marine Corps personnel capable of combat and humanitarian missions. On Friday, US Central Command confirmed that 2,200 Marines from the 31st MEU arrived in Middle Eastern waters after departing Sasebo, Japan, on March 13. A second unit, the 11th MEU with roughly 2,500 Marines, is inbound after leaving San Diego on March 18.The Pentagon has also ordered about 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to move to the region, adding to the approximately 50,000 US troops already stationed in the Middle East.An MEU is organized into four elements:Command Element – ~200 personnel for planning and command‑and‑control.Ground Combat Element – ~1,200 troops centered on an infantry battalion with artillery and armoured vehicles.Aviation Combat Element – ~500 personnel operating transport helicopters, attack aircraft and Osprey tilt‑rotors.Logistics Combat Element – ~300 personnel providing up to 15 days of self‑sustainment, including medical, engineering and maintenance support.MEUs are typically deployed aboard a three‑ship ARG, which serves as a floating base. The ships include:Landing Helicopter Assault/Dock – a small carrier carrying short‑takeoff aircraft such as F‑35Bs and attack helicopters.Amphibious Transport Dock – a mid‑size vessel transporting troops and heavy vehicles.Dock Landing Ship – primarily for cargo and heavy equipment.MEUs can execute sea‑to‑land assaults, raids, evacuations, humanitarian aid and disaster‑relief operations, and they are often the first forces on the ground in emerging conflicts.The US Marine Corps maintains seven active MEUs; the 31st (Asia‑Pacific) and 11th (West Coast) are currently assigned to the Iran war. The other units are distributed as follows:East Coast: 22nd, 24th, 26th MEUWest Coast: 11th, 13th, 15th MEUAsia‑Pacific: 31st MEUTypically, three MEUs are forward‑positioned at any time, rotating through deployments in the Mediterranean, Gulf and Asia‑Pacific regions.Historically, MEUs have played pivotal roles in US operations: during the 2001 Afghanistan invasion, the 15th and 26th MEUs conducted one of the longest amphibious vertical insertions; in 2003‑2004 they helped secure Iraqi ports and fought in Fallujah; and in 2024 they provided sea‑based support for the attempted abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa has announced a significant decrease in homicides, with a 28% drop in March compared to the same period last year. This development comes as the country intensifies its fight against organized crime, with support from the United States.The government's anti-crime efforts have resulted in 4,300 arrests nationwide and the execution of 2,200 search warrants. Interior Minister John Reimberg attributed these successes to Noboa's leadership and the work of the Security Bloc, a task force composed of national police and military members.Reimberg expressed his commitment to continuing the effort, stating that the Security Bloc's deployment has yielded clear and measurable results. Defence Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the crackdown is just the beginning.However, concerns have been raised about potential human rights abuses amid the aggressive campaign against cartels. The US has provided intelligence and logistics to support Ecuador's military operation, which has been carried out on the ground by Ecuadorian forces.Noboa has compared Ecuador's struggles with criminal violence to a war, justifying a military-style response. The country's homicide rate has surged since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Noboa has largely embraced the 'mano dura' or 'iron fist' security policies of other regional leaders.Despite the reported successes, allegations have emerged of civilian safety being threatened. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro alleged that bombs had landed near civilian farms along the Ecuador-Colombia border, and unidentified bodies have been recovered.The allegations have prompted domestic scrutiny of Noboa's campaign, with some questioning whether the attacks are really accomplishing his objectives. Lawmaker Jahiren Noriega Donoso stated that the war launched by Noboa is not a war against crime, but against the poorest among us.

Seven civilians were killed in Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs on April 1, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. The strike on the Jnah district killed five people and injured 21, while a separate raid on the town of Khaldeh resulted in two deaths and three injuries.Israeli officials said the operation aimed to eliminate a senior Hezbollah commander, though the militant group has neither confirmed nor denied the target. Security sources described the Jnah strike as a targeted assassination of vehicles rather than an apartment block, noting that many cars were parked near a school sheltering displaced residents.Hezbollah, meanwhile, reported cross‑border attacks and “fierce clashes” with Israeli soldiers near the border town of Shamaa, roughly 5 km from the frontier. The group also claimed to have fired more than 40 rockets toward northern Israel and engaged Israeli troops in other sectors.Since the latest escalation, at least ten Israeli soldiers have been reported killed, and three UN peacekeepers from UNIFIL lost their lives in southern Lebanon, prompting an investigation.The humanitarian toll continues to rise: Lebanon’s Health Ministry cites a death count of over 1,200 and notes that more than one million people have been displaced by the conflict.In Jerusalem, far‑right ministers are urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex southern Lebanon, while the prime minister has ordered the army to expand the ground invasion to fundamentally alter the security situation in Israel’s north.Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that homes in Lebanese border villages would be demolished and that the estimated 600,000 displaced residents would not be allowed to return until Israel deems the area secure, fueling fears of a prolonged occupation.Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam recently banned Hezbollah’s military activities and called on the national army to prevent attacks from Lebanese territory. However, the Iran‑aligned militia, which operates independently of the Lebanese government, has refused to disarm and insists on repelling Israeli advances.

The countdown at Kennedy Space Center is in its final stages for the Artemis II launch, the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya confirmed after a Monday management meeting that the mission is cleared for a Wednesday liftoff. Launch window: A two‑hour window opens at 6:24 pm (22:24 GMT) on Wednesday, with daily two‑hour windows remaining available until April 6. The launch can proceed only when the moon’s position, orbital trajectories, weather, and Earth’s rotation align safely. Weather outlook: Forecasts show an 80 % chance of favorable conditions, though cloud cover and high winds remain the primary concerns. The mission has already endured two major setbacks. In early February a liquid‑hydrogen leak forced a scrub, and in early March a helium‑flow issue in the upper stage halted a second attempt. NASA will stream the launch live on YouTube, where viewers can follow the vehicle from rollout to liftoff. Artemis programme overview: Artemis is NASA’s multidecade effort to return humans to the Moon, establish a sustainable presence near the lunar south pole, and eventually enable crewed missions to Mars. The program comprises five missions (Artemis I‑V). Artemis I, an uncrewed test in 2022, validated the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, providing critical data for the current flight. Mission profile: Artemis II will not land; instead, its four‑person crew will perform a lunar flyby, looping around the far side before returning to Earth. The flight will test Orion’s life‑support, navigation, communications, and overall performance in deep space—conditions that cannot be fully replicated on the ground. Crew members: Reid Wiseman (Commander, 50) – veteran NASA astronaut and former ISS commander. Victor Glover (Pilot, 49) – U.S. Navy aviator, first Black astronaut assigned to a lunar mission, previously flew on SpaceX Crew‑1. Christina Koch (Mission Specialist, 47) – holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days) and has extensive EVA experience. Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, 50) – Canada’s first astronaut slated for a lunar mission, highlighting international collaboration. During the ten‑day journey the crew will evaluate spacecraft systems, conduct radiation and fire‑response drills, perform a suit‑pressurisation test, and carry out medical and scientific experiments while observing the lunar surface. Strategic importance: Artemis II is a stepping stone toward Artemis III (planned for 2027), which will test integrated operations with commercial landers, followed by Artemis IV (early 2028) – the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 – and Artemis V (late 2028) aimed at establishing a lunar base. The program also reinforces U.S. leadership in space amid rising competition, notably from China.

President Donald Trump told allies that Tehran does not need to negotiate a settlement for the hostilities to cease, estimating the conflict could be over in two to three weeks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however, dismissed any hope of talks, stating that Tehran has zero trust in Washington.US‑Israeli air raids persist across Iran, hitting key industrial and civilian targets such as steel factories in Isfahan and Farokhshahr, pharmaceutical facilities, port infrastructure, meteorological stations and a residential complex. Iranian state media and the Red Crescent reported explosions in cities including Ahvaz, Shiraz, Isfahan, Karaj, Kermanshah and Bandar Abbas.An Iranian official said the Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical raw‑material plant in Tehran was struck, crippling its research and development wing and delivering a "blow to the national medical supply chain." In Bandar Abbas, the Shahid Haqqani passenger pier was bombed, though officials claimed no casualties.A desalination plant on Qeshm Island, crucial for water supply in the Strait of Hormuz, was knocked out of service by the strikes.Analyst Trita Parsi warned that the war is unlikely to end swiftly and that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, noting that it will not be easy for President Trump to simply walk away from the conflict.Casualties have surpassed 2,000 Iranians, with numerous civilian sites—including hospitals, schools, universities and pharmaceutical factories—targeted, raising concerns of potential war‑crime violations.On the diplomatic front, Spain, France and Italy have begun curbing U.S. military operations by closing airspace, denying base access and limiting logistical support. Meanwhile, China and Pakistan have tabled a five‑point cease‑fire proposal that calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.Regional leaders are also active: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have convened to discuss the Iran war, while Argentina, under President Javier Milei, officially labeled Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “terrorist” organization.Pope Francis (Leo XIV) appealed directly to President Trump, urging an end to the violence and expressing hope that the U.S. leader is moving toward a resolution.In the Gulf, Iranian drones have repeatedly struck Kuwait’s airport, forcing the closure of its airspace since late February; Saudi Arabia has stepped in to provide transport for affected passengers. Bahrain sounded air‑raid sirens, and Saudi forces reported intercepting two additional drones.A merchant vessel north of Doha suffered damage from an "unknown projectile," though the crew remained unharmed and no environmental harm was recorded.U.S. officials remain divided: while Trump predicts a rapid end, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the United States is "negotiating with bombs" and that the coming days are decisive. The war’s uncertainty has pushed oil prices higher, prompting U.S. Senator Chris Coons to warn that American families face rising grocery, utility and mortgage costs.Israel continues to face coordinated attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, with missile and drone incursions reported across northern and central regions. Despite these threats, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Iran’s regional allies no longer pose an "existential threat," yet Israel plans to maintain its offensive, including operations in Lebanon.In Lebanon, Israeli ground advances and heavy bombardments have resulted in over 1,200 deaths and displaced roughly 1.2 million people since early March. Iraqi militia Kata’ib Sayyid al‑Shuhada warned that any U.S. ground incursion into Iran via Kuwait could trigger an all‑out war.

In the aftermath of recent Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, emergency responders have been deployed across the city to locate and assist potential victims. Teams of firefighters, medical personnel, and rescue volunteers are systematically combing through damaged neighborhoods, searching for survivors and the injured. Authorities have confirmed that the strikes caused significant structural damage, prompting a large‑scale rescue operation. While exact casualty figures remain unverified, officials emphasize that the priority is to provide immediate medical aid and to recover any individuals trapped under debris. The intensified search effort underscores the growing humanitarian concerns linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, urging both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian safety. Local residents have expressed shock and grief, with many awaiting news about loved ones. The coordinated response by emergency services aims to mitigate further loss of life and to deliver essential support to affected communities.

Closing the Strait of Hormuz has choked a vital artery that carries roughly one‑fifth of the world’s crude oil and LNG, sending energy prices soaring and unsettling global trade. Even if the waterway reopens tomorrow, analysts say the ripple effects will endure for months. Nils Haupt, senior director of corporate communications at German carrier Hapag‑Lloyd, told Al Jazeera that the end of hostilities does not equate to the end of logistics challenges. “Once the bombardments stop, the real work begins,” he said, noting that hundreds of vessels will scramble for berths in Persian Gulf ports, creating a prolonged bottleneck for containers and bulk cargo. According to the International Maritime Organization, about 2,000 ships are currently stranded because of Iran’s partial blockade, with only a handful of vessels from “friendly” nations granted passage. Maritime‑intelligence firm Windward estimates that roughly 400 of those ships are anchored in the Gulf of Oman, waiting for a green light. Diverted traffic has already forced many carriers to reroute via the Suez Canal or take the far longer Cape of Good Hope passage, inflating transit times and costs for shipments bound for Asia and Europe. Oil exports from Saudi Arabia are now being sent around the Red Sea, bypassing the strait entirely. Svein Ringbakken, managing director of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Mutual War Risks Association, cautioned that even with ports operating at full capacity, clearing the backlog of oil, gas and other goods will take months. He added that repeated attacks on regional energy and transport infrastructure have compounded the problem. The International Energy Agency reports that more than 40 energy assets across the Middle East have suffered “severe or very severe” damage, prompting companies such as QatarEnergy, Kuwait Petroleum Company and Bahrain’s Bapco Energies to declare force majeure. Beyond the immediate loss of flow, the shutdown has disrupted exports of petrochemicals, fertilisers and raw materials essential for plastics production, further straining global supply chains. Industry leaders warn that the risk landscape has fundamentally shifted. SV Anchan, chairman of US‑based logistics group Safesea, highlighted the rise of asymmetric threats, including unmanned vessel attacks, which have already accounted for at least 18 confirmed assaults since the conflict began. “A full reopening will only bring normalcy after a sustained period of stability and credible security guarantees,” Anchan said. Insurance costs have exploded as a result. Marco Forgione of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade noted that hull and cargo premiums have surged up to 300 %, a pressure point that could force shipping firms to curtail operations if rates remain high. Oscar Seikaly, CEO of NSI Insurance Group, stressed that war‑risk coverage will only normalize when a “truly permanent” security solution is in place, not a partial one. Recent data from Lloyd’s List show that a few vessels have managed to obtain Tehran’s permission to transit, with one ship reportedly paying $2 million for the right to pass. Iranian lawmakers have also moved to formalise transit fees for the strait. Nick Marro, lead global‑trade analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, warned that the security guarantees demanded by shippers may be hard to meet, citing the volatile Red Sea experience where commercial traffic remains below pre‑2023 levels. Marro predicts that the Hormuz shutdown will accelerate a broader trend of route diversification, similar to the supply‑chain shifts triggered by the COVID‑19 pandemic. “Geopolitical uncertainty will become a permanent feature of risk management, not a temporary reaction,” he said. Seikaly echoed this outlook, suggesting that exporters will increasingly explore alternative corridors for strategic and political reasons, ultimately reducing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz over the long term.

A recent investigation has exposed a vast illegal casino network targeting UK gamblers, operating with impunity in jurisdictions like Curaçao. The network, linked to Santeda International, includes brands such as MyStake, Velobet, and Goldenbet, which have attracted an average of 2.3 million monthly unique visitors from the UK.The investigation reveals that these illegal casinos are not licensed by the UK's Gambling Commission, a legal requirement for serving UK customers. They offer a range of games, from football betting to classic casino games and slot machines, and have been linked to fraud, financial harm, and even suicide.The network's digital trail leads to Santeda International BV, a company with a licence from Curaçao, and Upgaming AG, a Swiss-based business. Georgian businessmen, including Tornike Tvauri, Alexander Makashvili, and Mikheil Merebashvili, appear to be involved in the operation.The UK's Gambling Commission has been criticized for its limited success in stopping these illegal casinos. The regulator has targeted affiliates recommending these sites and sent takedown requests to Google. However, the vast majority of these sites remain easily accessible from the UK.The Labour MP Alex Ballinger has called on the Gambling Commission to take urgent action, stating that these sites deliberately target vulnerable people trying to stop gambling. The Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith has also urged the regulator to liaise with authorities in countries where these operators are based.The investigation highlights the significant economic costs of gambling harm in the UK, estimated to be between £1bn and £2bn. The chancellor has allocated an extra £26m over three years to tackle illicit gambling sites.